There is a place in the South Pacific where beauty meets mystery, and tradition shakes hands with modern times in a way no other place on earth can match. Located on the Ambae Island in The Republic of Vanuatu, the lakes which crown Mount Manaro are sacred to the people in ways we can only try to understand. The splendor of going to Mount Manaro isn’t just limited to swimming in one of the highest crater lakes in the South Pacific, or observing a smoking mound of sulphur among breathtaking waters. It's taking the time to learn about and participate in such a rare culture. Mount Manaro is made up of two main crater lakes named Vui and Gesa. Vui Lake is active, has a ...
Istanbul's Hagia Sophia ("Church of Holy Wisdom") is considered to be an enduring, majestic symbol of the Byzantine Empire. At an astonishing 1,475 years old, the Hagia Sophia changed the face of architecture and merged religions. Originally an Orthodox Christian basilica, the building was constructed over five years by 10,000 workers on the orders of Emperor Justinian I in 532-7 AD. The Hagia Sophia was then the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople for almost all of its first millennium. In 1453, Istanbul was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, and the Hagia Sophia was ordered to be converted into a mosque. It remained so until 1935, when the Turkish government declared the Hagia Sophia a museum. For over a thousand years it was the largest ...
Qingdao, a picturesque coastal city on China's eastern seaboard, boasts an interesting past and a groovy seaside atmosphere. Once colonized by Germans, Qingdao (sounds like "ching daow") is the venerable home of China's most iconic beer: Tsingtao. The name Tsingtao is an earlier Romanized spelling of the same Chinese word: "qing dao," which means “green island.” Although not actually an island, Qingdao is now a major seaport city, and in 2008, it hosted the Beijing Olympic Sailing competition in its scenic bay. The World of Tsingtao is the main brewery and museum of Tsingtao beer, located right in Qingdao City. Tickets to Tsingtao Brewery give you access to the museum, which highlights the history of Tsingtao beer from its founding in 1903 by German settlers. ...
India is a country of diverse faiths, and Kumbh Mela is one of the holiest events in India, bringing Hindus from all over the country, and the world, together. This is a time when Hindus forget which caste they belong to, which region they come from or their social status, and take part in the mass celebration of Kumbh Mela. This event has attracted the acclaimed title as the largest human gathering in the world, where people come with only one thing on their mind, faith. Pilgrims come to Kumbh Mela full of such tremendous devotion, and in such overwhelming numbers, that it boggles the mind. It looks like an ocean of humans. Kumbh (pot) Mela (fair) is the sacred pilgrimage of the Hindus that ...
The St Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland is a unique event that unites locals and visitors in a carnival atmosphere of music, dancing and partying; and leaves the world green with envy. Expanded in recent years from a one-day holiday to a six-day event, the St Patrick's Festival brings people together from all over the world to celebrate all things Irish. The centrepiece of the Festival is, of course, the St Patrick's Day Parade; an event that has been copied the world over. The 1.5 mile St Patrick's Day Parade route winds its way from Parnell Square on the city's north side, down O'Connell Street (the city's main thoroughfare), past the Spire of Dublin, over the River Liffey and up to Trinity College, before ...
A visit to New Orleans doesn't have to coincide with Mardi Gras in order for you to enjoy the city's savory character. In fact, many of New Orleans’ most enduring charms can be enjoyed with a simple stroll through the famous French Quarter. The French Quarter is the oldest district in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1718 by the French, it is known by locals as Vieux Carre (old square) as it reflects the art and architecture of the Spanish era. Descending down the world famous Bourbon Street with beads around our necks, we caught an energetic rendition of the Rocky theme song wafting out from a nearby karaoke bar. As the sun began its journey into the darkness, we decided to make room in ...
Despite the common misconception, Cinco de Mayo is not actually Mexico's Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican militia's victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is more of a regional holiday than a national one, and most of the celebrations occur in the city of Puebla. Those parts of the United States with large Mexican populations will also enjoy the thrill of Cinco de Mayo celebrations, which have become a bigger tradition than in Mexico itself. Cinco de Mayo is seen more as a day to celebrate Mexican culture within the United States. The Battle of Puebla took place over forty years after Mexico gained its independence from Spain. The years following independence were riddled with war, ...
There's so much to see and do in Yellowstone National Park, which is bigger than the states of Delaware or Rhode Island, that it would be easy to spend a week there and still not see it all. If you don't have a week, then some of the best experiences can be found in the Upper Geyser Basin in the southwest corner of the Park. All of the geysers, pools and wildlife make it a truly unique place to visit. One of the more popular sites in Yellowstone is the Morning Glory Pool, which sits at the end of a boardwalk trail that easily meanders throughout the geyser basin. The trail to the Morning Glory Pool begins near the parking and lodging area for the ...
One of the world's oldest and most beautiful books, The Book of Kells has become a must-see for any visitor to Dublin. The Book of Kells is on display in Ireland's oldest and most picturesque university Trinity College, whose campus represents for many Dubliners the very centre of the Irish capital. This remarkable book contains the four Gospels of the New Testament in Latin written on vellum (treated calfskin), and was meticulously illustrated by Irish monks around the year 800 BC. The history of The Book of Kells is almost as remarkable as the precision craftsmanship it contains. The Book of Kells' first home was the Abbey of Kells in nearby County Meath, where a long-running campaign to get the famous book back continues to ...
Vang Vieng is located in the Vientiane Province of Loas by the Nam Song River. The area was notably used as an American Army base for landing aircrafts during the Vietnam War, but has since developed into a well-catered backpacker district. Surrounded with a dramatic countryside of jagged limestone mountains, a cornucopia of caves and waterfalls, Vang Vieng was designed for hiking! A good hike through Vang Vieng offers hikers an array of sights and activities including vibrant valleys, rugged waterfalls, caving, kayaking and the opportunity to finesse your way across bamboo and rope bridges. The beautiful views of will draw you in and make you want to stay just to see what the sunset will be like the following day. The Vang Vieng hiking ...
